Word of Li Ling's movements reached every corner of the four seas.
The Money Guild had been at odds with them lately and naturally kept a close eye on every scrap of news. When they learned of this, they were quite taken aback.
The guild had its share of clever strategists, who soon concluded that Li Ling intended to fill the East Sea with deities from the North Sea, bringing it firmly under his own system of rule.
"Grand Elders, Li Ling is in league with the Heavenly Court. This move is another case of the fox borrowing the tiger's might-he is using the Heavenly Court's influence against us."
In a Council Hall on Goldsource Island, the Grand Elders, including the Three Great Treasure Envoys, had gathered to hear secret reports from the North Sea.
After hearing the analysis, they all agreed with that assessment.
Their sole concern was that almost every measure Li Ling took was an open scheme laid out in plain sight. He had no fear of others discovering it.
"This really is difficult. Even knowing all this, what can we do to stop him?"
"He actually started doing this back when they seized the Misty Wave Kingdom of the West Sea. With so many Heavenly Court troops stationed on the island, there was simply no easy way to strike."
"Attacking a market ward guarded by a City God would be practically equivalent to declaring war on the Heavenly Court. They would certainly not stand idly by."
Given the Money Guild's reserves, it was not as though they would never dare act if pushed into a corner.
The problem was that an all-out war would smash a great many pots and jars.
No one wanted to be the bird that stuck its head out first.
The Elders